I Am Not The Duke's Evil Son-Chapter 83: The Goblin Nest Assault

Maarit leaned wearily against the trunk of a tree, watching the old healer anxiously, hoping he could save all her companions. At the same time, she was troubled by the decision she had made.

’Why did I say that? I can’t take it back now. That would offend the human leader, and he might accuse me of trickery or mockery. Our village is already in a pitiful state we don’t need more enemies.’

She sighed deeply and shook her head. Earlier, pressed by limited options and the short time Arthur had given her, she had spoken rashly, without enough thought, and said things she didn’t truly want to.

’These humans around me are very strong. It’s obvious they could wipe out our village with ease. I must ensure they don’t learn its location. I’ll lead them only to the goblin nest.’

While pondering her next move, she saw Thorne approaching. She stared at him for a moment and respectfully greeted him when he stood before her:

"Do you need something, Sir Thorne?"

Now that she was a slave to the humans, she could no longer interact casually she had to show proper respect.

Thorne was surprised by her manner and gave a faint smile. "I can smell your worry from miles away. Relax. The lord is noble in his actions and won’t harm peaceful people like you."

Maarit’s expression shifted, and she hesitated before replying, "I hope so... but we’re just half-humans. I doubt he sees us as anything close to his level."

Hearing her response, Thorne chuckled softly, which made her frown in discomfort. "Forgive me, but did I say something wrong?"

"No, I’m just surprised. I didn’t expect you to say something like that. Anyway, like I said, don’t worry. Even if the lord never says it aloud, he really doesn’t care about your race." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

"Really?" Maarit was curious, but she still couldn’t quite believe it.

Calmly, Thorne stepped closer and whispered, "Let me tell you a little secret I’m not human either."

Maarit was stunned and quickly scanned him from head to toe, but found no sign that he was part-beast or monster. She frowned, thinking he was mocking her.

Realizing this, Thorne slowly turned his head, checked their surroundings, and, once assured they were alone, revealed a fierce expression and began shifting into his true form. His teeth grew into massive fangs, his ears reshaped into something wolf-like, gray fur sprouted on his cheeks and neck, and his build changed yet he still retained some human resemblance.

Maarit’s eyes widened, her jaw dropped in shock, and she pointed at him with a trembling finger. But she also felt a strange happiness.

"You’re a werewolf!"

"Keep your voice down! Not everyone is like the lord," Thorne scolded her before quickly returning to his human form.

He hadn’t planned to reveal his beastkin nature, but he wanted to return the favor after all, they had saved his life, and he hadn’t lifted a finger to persuade his lord during the negotiation.

And what he’d said was true. When they signed the Ancestral Right Contract with Arthur, he thought they’d be mistreated. But after a few days of travel, he realized Arthur genuinely didn’t care about their race. He didn’t insult them or look down on them, which gave Thorne great relief.

Once Maarit regained her composure, she and Thorne talked for a bit before she went to check on her companions. Seeing that their condition was no longer critical filled her with joy. Without delay, she approached Arthur and humbly requested that they proceed to exterminate the goblin nest.

He agreed and ordered her to guide them through the forest toward the goblin nest. On the way, she avoided all routes that led to her village or contained any signs or markings related to her people.

After a few hours of travel, and as dusk approached, they arrived at a section of the forest that was slightly different from its surroundings.

Arthur slowed his horse and surveyed the area carefully, activating his "Plot Savant" skill.

Suddenly, he raised his hand. "Stop."

The battalion behind him halted, cautiously preparing for battle, their eyes fixed on the surroundings.

Unlike the first goblin extermination mission, the weakest member of the group was now at Rank E, which gave them much greater confidence.

But Arthur wasn’t the type to let his guard down just because of his strength. Calmly, he said, "There are traps ahead."

Everyone was surprised and stared into the forest, but nothing seemed out of place.

Arthur pondered for a moment, then ordered, "Novarian, blow up the ground in front of us."

"Understood." Calmly, Novarian raised his hand, and dozens of small fireballs appeared around him. With a motion of his hand, they all shot forward at high speed, each exploding violently upon contact and obliterating everything in their path.

In moments, the forest ahead turned into a devastated stretch of land. Burnt and splintered trees fell, and the grass was charred. But the soldiers and Droblin paid no mind to the destruction they focused entirely on the triggered traps.

Spears flew from hidden spots, landing in what would have been their path. Several large pits, previously hidden by grass, were revealed. Magical traps triggered as well some launched ice blades, others hurled fireballs.

Fortunately, the group had stopped at a safe distance, so no one was harmed.

Maarit stared at Arthur in awe. ’How did he know that?’

She wasn’t alone everyone was wondering the same.

But unlike them, Arthur was slightly worried. ’It seems there’s a shaman among the goblins. Or maybe more than one. According to Thorne, he encountered many goblins on his way back to the barony... Has it started? No, it’s still too early.’

Calmly, he turned to Maarit nearby. "When did this goblin nest appear?"

Maarit was startled but quickly replied, "Two weeks ago, my lord. They suddenly arrived in large numbers and made this place their nest. They attacked us at first, but despite our village’s weakness, we were evenly matched, so the direct conflict didn’t last long. Now, they just harass us from time to time."

"Hmm..." Arthur nodded thoughtfully, then asked, "How many are they? What ranks?"

"I’m not sure exactly, my lord, but there are more than a hundred. Among them is a Rank D mage and a few Rank D Boundless. But most have no rank."

"I see." Without further delay, Arthur raised his hand again and ordered, "Prepare for battle. Dismount. Shield bearers at the front, spearmen behind them. Novarian do what you do best."

The soldiers moved as one. About twenty shield bearers lined up at the front, followed by ten spearmen, then the cavalry, and finally the mages.

As for Novarian, he didn’t follow the formation. He stood off to the side, watching indifferently.

His actions surprised the Droblin, who began whispering:

"What’s with this guy? Why is he acting on his own?"

"Isn’t he one of the human leader’s followers?"

"Who knows?" Robert replied with a hint of admiration. After witnessing the earlier fireball assault, he was awed by Novarian’s strength and couldn’t help but want to be like him a calm and powerful man.

In fact, despite the seriousness of the moment, Robert couldn’t suppress his imagination. He pictured himself as a muscular warrior in luxurious clothing and a billowing cape, standing atop a pile of goblin corpses, with his people cheering below.

"Advance!" Arthur’s stern command snapped him out of his fantasy. He gripped his sword tightly and moved cautiously. After a few steps, his heart pounded—they had reached the goblin nest, which was made of dozens of cut trees stacked together like a cave of trunks and branches. Strange rock formations also littered the area.

Everyone observed their surroundings carefully, searching for entrances or goblin positions. But the area seemed empty... or so they thought.

Suddenly, dozens of goblins emerged from behind the rocks and logs and unleashed a barrage of arrows.

Before the shield bearers could react, Novarian launched another volley of explosive fireballs. Some collided midair with the arrows and exploded, scattering the projectiles.

Others landed amidst the goblins, killing or injuring many of them.

The shield bearers swiftly raised their defenses and blocked the remaining arrows. Before Arthur could issue another order, Novarian moved to the front, activated the "Commander’s Aura" skill, and shouted, "Attack!"

The skill boosted the morale of the soldiers, replacing their fear and hesitation with a burning desire for victory. Without pause, they charged forward, shouting, "Kill!"

Even the Droblin didn’t hesitate they joined the humans in the charge.

Before the small battalion reached the goblins, Novarian unleashed another barrage of explosive fireballs, breaking the goblin formation and throwing their ranks into chaos. Before they could regroup, the battalion clashed with them and began slaughtering them mercilessly.

Thorne easily cut down the weaker goblins and moved toward the stronger Rank D Boundless among them.

Even Selene, unused to combat, hid behind the soldiers and launched small fireballs at weaker goblins.

Arthur observed the chaotic battle with furrowed brows. He didn’t like what he saw. The disorganized attack and disregard for orders annoyed him.

’Novarian, that fool... why did he act on his own? I was sure restraining him would be impossible... but he dragged my soldiers along with him. How irritating.’

He wasn’t the only one who hadn’t charged Octavia also stayed by his side. In fact, she was more annoyed than he was, as she couldn’t stand anyone disregarding her lord’s commands.

"That scoundrel..."

She turned to Arthur with visible frustration. "My lord, you must punish him."